20 Online Team Building Games To Energize Your Virtual Crew

Written by:
Eli Robinson
Updated:
September 22, 2024

Online team building games can transform the way your team interacts, fosters relationships, and boosts productivity.

With 90% of employers saying that a sense of community is crucial for success, it’s clear that engaging your team is more than just an afterthought - it’s essential.

Let’s consider 20 online team building games that will help create stronger connections, reduce isolation, and increase overall communication and morale.

Are you...

  • Struggling to build a sense of community in a remote or hybrid work environment?
  • Looking for fun, online team building games that everyone will enjoy, regardless of their role?
  • Trying to increase team bonding while also improving productivity and engagement?

From my experience organizing team building sessions, I’ve found that online games provide the perfect combination of fun and collaboration. They help break the ice, get people talking, and make everyone feel part of a team - even when they’re miles apart. Choosing the right games can have a direct impact on engagement, communication, and productivity.

We all know that fostering a sense of community and communication in an online work environment can be tough. But the right online team building games can turn this challenge into an opportunity. Let’s explore 20 of the best options, starting with my personal favorite.

20 Online Team Building Games You Need To Try

1 - Trivia Competitions

When it comes to online team building, nothing beats a good old-fashioned trivia competition. Why? Because trivia isn’t just fun - it’s the perfect way to foster communication and create bonding moments among your team. With platforms like Water Cooler Trivia, you can customize quizzes to fit your team’s interests and even schedule weekly games to keep the momentum going. Trivia games are not only engaging but also incredibly effective at improving communication patterns, with studies showing that socializing as a team boosts these patterns by 50%. Trivia fosters friendly competition, helps team members get to know each other, and creates lasting connections.

2 - Virtual Escape Rooms

A virtual escape room challenges your team to work together to solve puzzles and escape within a time limit. This game encourages collaboration, communication, and problem-solving, making it a popular choice for remote teams. Plus, it’s a great way to fight isolation, which can cause a 20% decline in productivity if not addressed.

3 - Online Scavenger Hunts

An online scavenger hunt is a fun way to get your team moving and thinking creatively. Teams must find items or complete challenges from their homes, which promotes teamwork and quick thinking. This is an ideal game for improving engagement and getting team members to know each other better - especially considering that 55% of employees don’t know their co-workers well.

4 - Virtual Murder Mysteries

Virtual murder mysteries are a fantastic way to promote communication and collaboration among team members. Participants are assigned roles and must work together to solve a fictional crime, encouraging teamwork and building stronger bonds along the way.

5 - Jackbox Party Pack Games

These casual, fun online games allow your team to join in on games like Fibbage or Quiplash through their browsers. It’s a lighthearted way to build camaraderie, which is especially helpful given that 90% of employers say a sense of community is key to success.

6 - Pictionary (Online Drawing Games)

Pictionary, or any online drawing game like Skribbl.io, is an excellent way to get your team laughing and working together. It encourages creativity, and the interactive nature of the game promotes engagement across the board.

7 - Virtual Bingo

Virtual bingo is easy to set up and great for large teams. You can create themed bingo cards to suit your team’s preferences and host regular bingo sessions to give everyone a light-hearted break. It’s an effective way to boost morale and reduce employee isolation.

8 - Two Truths & A Lie

This classic icebreaker game works just as well in a virtual environment as it does in person. Team members share two truths and one lie about themselves, and everyone else must guess which statement is false. It’s a fun way to help team members get to know each other, which is critical for improving engagement and communication.

9 - Online Charades

Online charades is a hilarious way to get the team to loosen up and have some fun together. The game requires communication and teamwork, helping to break down silos and promote connection.

10 - Virtual Team Trivia

Different from standard trivia, this version is entirely focused on the company and its employees. Customize questions based on team members’ interests, past projects, or even inside jokes. Water Cooler Trivia can be adapted to these themes, making it a great choice for boosting employee engagement. Remember, when employees feel that their opinions matter at work, businesses see a 27% drop in employee turnover and a 12% boost in productivity.

11 - Virtual Board Games

Classic board games like Catan and Ticket to Ride have online versions that allow teams to collaborate and compete in a virtual environment. These games help with strategic thinking and foster a sense of friendly competition.

12 - Virtual Karaoke

Virtual karaoke is a fun, lively way to break the ice and encourage team members to show their playful side. It helps people feel more comfortable with each other, especially those who might be more reserved.

13 - Online Mafia (or Werewolf)

This social deduction game encourages team members to work together to figure out who the “mafia” is. It’s a great way to sharpen communication and observation skills, while also encouraging teamwork and critical thinking.

14 - Virtual Jeopardy

Online Jeopardy games are interactive and fun, and they can be easily customized to include work-related content, making it both a learning opportunity and an entertaining activity.

15 - Virtual Icebreaker Quizzes

These short quizzes are designed to get to know your team members better, fostering deeper connections. They work particularly well for larger teams who don’t know each other well.

16 - Online Collaborative Puzzles

Platforms like JigsawPuzzles.io allow teams to work together to solve jigsaw puzzles virtually. It’s a relaxing way to build teamwork and encourage collaboration.

17 - Virtual Coffee Breaks

Organize informal virtual coffee breaks where team members can chat and get to know each other. Given that 55% of employees don’t know their co-workers well, this simple activity can improve communication and help team members feel more connected.

18 - Virtual Code Names

This game is about giving clever clues to your teammates to help them guess words. It promotes strategic thinking and is a great way to improve teamwork and communication.

19 - Online Word Games (Boggle or Scrabble)

Classic word games like Boggle or Scrabble are fun for word enthusiasts and help stimulate critical thinking, spelling skills, and teamwork.

20 - Virtual Team Fitness Challenges

Host a fitness challenge where team members log their daily steps, workouts, or yoga sessions. It’s a healthy way to encourage team members to stay active and feel more connected.

Why Trivia Is The Best Game For Your Team

There’s a reason why Water Cooler Trivia takes the lead on this list. Trivia fosters communication, builds camaraderie, and keeps team members engaged - whether they’re in the same office or spread across the globe. Not to mention, regular trivia sessions can help overcome the isolation many remote workers feel, which is linked to a 20% decline in productivity. Plus, it’s an easy, low-pressure way for everyone to participate, including quieter team members.

Water Cooler Trivia is an ideal solution for remote and hybrid teams, offering customized quizzes based on your team's schedule and interests. It’s a proven tool to boost morale, increase team interaction, and bring a little fun to your workweek. With such an effective, accessible option at your disposal, trivia is a must-try for teams looking to improve their sense of community.

Ready to try it out? Sign up for a free four-week trial with Water Cooler Trivia today - no credit card required. Give your team something to look forward to each week and watch how trivia can transform your work culture!